Lovely portrait - the subject is posed nicely with good eye contact.
I like the idea of the contrast, although it is always nice to see some detail in the darker areas also.
The space camera right seems unnecessary to me, so by cropping, allows the subject to be placed more off-centre.

Lovely portrait - the subject is posed nicely with good eye contact.
I like the idea of the contrast, although it is always nice to see some detail in the darker areas also.
The space camera right seems unnecessary to me, so by cropping, allows the subject to be placed more off-centre.

I would love to see the colour version of this Paul. If you still have it, you can upload it here by clicking modifications, then upload.
Its a matter of intent and personal taste really. Youve deliberately used a high contrast, and the idea is good, but for me its too dark. In the image, theres areas with no hair detail at all, - and her neck is barely visible. I agree with arhb on the right side, however I would not crop the top. her fingers in her hair are blown, so you have a very bright spot there that attracts the eye. You can clone some hair over it.
Uploaded a mod, recovered shadow detail, cloned out fingers, sharpened eyes, slightly softened face using a diffuse blur. I think you still have the framing here, less heavy, but you be the judge.
Hope this helps,
Regards
Willie

I would love to see the colour version of this Paul. If you still have it, you can upload it here by clicking modifications, then upload.

Its a matter of intent and personal taste really. Youve deliberately used a high contrast, and the idea is good, but for me its too dark. In the image, theres areas with no hair detail at all, - and her neck is barely visible. I agree with arhb on the right side, however I would not crop the top. her fingers in her hair are blown, so you have a very bright spot there that attracts the eye. You can clone some hair over it.

Uploaded a mod, recovered shadow detail, cloned out fingers, sharpened eyes, slightly softened face using a diffuse blur. I think you still have the framing here, less heavy, but you be the judge.

It's a nice portrait. I would crop a little from the right but do think you have lost a lot of detail in the shadows, particularly the hair. I think a bit of judicial work with the dodge tool could work wonders here.
The colour version might be spectacular.
Paul

It's a nice portrait. I would crop a little from the right but do think you have lost a lot of detail in the shadows, particularly the hair. I think a bit of judicial work with the dodge tool could work wonders here.

I like the colour version. Possibly just brighten up a bit as it does seem very slightly flat. Nice crop. After most of my photographic life working largley in mono, I think the current trend to use mono is a tiuch over done. Mono suites harder gritty shots. I like thid type of image in colour.
Paul

I like the colour version. Possibly just brighten up a bit as it does seem very slightly flat. Nice crop. After most of my photographic life working largley in mono, I think the current trend to use mono is a tiuch over done. Mono suites harder gritty shots. I like thid type of image in colour.

Glad you like the colour version Paul, I must admit that I have been going through a bit of a b/w phase. Be it b/w or colour I have realised that I have a lot to learn when it comes to knowing how to bring an image to life through post processing. I guess developing my photography would also reduce the amount of post work required.

Glad you like the colour version Paul, I must admit that I have been going through a bit of a b/w phase. Be it b/w or colour I have realised that I have a lot to learn when it comes to knowing how to bring an image to life through post processing. I guess developing my photography would also reduce the amount of post work required.

Interesting what colour and B&W do to a portrait. It is as if the portrait was of two different persons. B&W, simplifying the focus, concentrates on the eyes and the mouth. In the colour shot, hair colour is so powerful that the model's facial expression is transformed. I also think there are fewer technical problems with your colour shot. Cropping is OK, but I would suggest toning down the model's right elbow. It catches all the light and appears way too white. Notice that in the B&W composition you lost hair detail by the ear. Colour maintains it. Kudo's just the same. I love your model's expression. Paul

Interesting what colour and B&W do to a portrait. It is as if the portrait was of two different persons. B&W, simplifying the focus, concentrates on the eyes and the mouth. In the colour shot, hair colour is so powerful that the model's facial expression is transformed. I also think there are fewer technical problems with your colour shot. Cropping is OK, but I would suggest toning down the model's right elbow. It catches all the light and appears way too white. Notice that in the B&W composition you lost hair detail by the ear. Colour maintains it. Kudo's just the same. I love your model's expression. Paul